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Irish Cancer Society Liam Mc Trial making a difference at Cork University Hospital

21 Mar 2023

“I feel privileged to be able to share what I have experienced, found and felt so far in my journey with the team behind the trial in the hope of making life better for more patients in future.”  Mr Martin O’Sullivan from Cork who lives with prostrate cancer, was among the patients consulted in the trial’s design  

Clinical trials for a new €300,000 Irish Cancer Society research project based at Cork University Hospital and supported by the UCC Cancer Trial have been successful and this new project is expected to begin in April 2023 helping make crucial improvements to quality of life for men facing devastating cancer diagnoses. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When a man has cancer, attention immediately turns to providing life-saving treatment, but issues arising from their treatment can often be hugely detrimental for their actual quality of life – issues like weight gain, muscle loss, continence problems and erectile dysfunction.

 

For the first time in Ireland, the Irish Cancer Society Liam Mc Trial will see men routinely linked into a range of supports in a hospital setting that can help them live their lives to the fullest throughout their diagnosis. The trial's name is short for ‘Linking In with Advice and supports for Men impacted by Metastatic Cancer’, and is also a nod to famous Cork hurler Liam McCarthy. 

 

The 12-week programme developed as part of the Liam Mc Trial will see initial groups of selected participants with an advanced cancer diagnosis receive dedicated help from a range of hospital-based specialists, including everything from physiotherapy and psychology to dieticians and nursing. The programme is specifically tailored to the needs of common male cancers such as prostate, testicular and bladder cancer, with input from patients key to its design. Its various components will cater for the psychological, emotional and physical needs of men affected. 

 

 

 

Based out of the state-of-the-art cardio rehab gym at Cork University Hospital, the project is supported by the UCC Cancer Trials Group and overseen by a team of researchers from UCC and CUH under the direction of Cancer Research @UCC's Investigator Dr Richard Bambury (Senior Clinical Lecturer, UCC and Consultant Medical Oncologist, CUH) and Lecturer Practitioner at School of Nursing and Midwifery Dr Brendan Noonan. 

 

Martin O’Sullivan (65) from Cork, who lives with advanced prostate cancer, was among the patients consulted in the trial’s design, having himself experienced some of the issues it seeks to address: 

 

“I’ve had surgeries to remove my prostate and a portion of my lung since first being diagnosed in 2018, and while I have been fortunate to stay active it does take its toll. I feel privileged to be able to share what I have experienced, found and felt so far in my journey with the team behind the trial in the hope of making life better for more patients in future,” Mr O’Sullivan said. 

 

Commenting on the Liam Mc Trial, Dr Richard Bambury said:“We are delighted to introduce this hugely important trial with the support of the Irish Cancer Society that investigates the role of a targeted 12-week personalised programme for men impacted by metastatic cancer, focusing on a predominately underserved and underrepresented patient group in this setting.  

 

“Building on the success of the LYSA trial in Cork, investigating women's survivorship strategies, this study is aimed at men who are survivors of cancer. These men will receive dedicated interventions and supports from a multidisciplinary team, including physiotherapy, dietician, nursing, psychological, emotional and medical inputs, with the ultimate aim of improving their quality of life.” 

 

Dr. Brendan Noonan, School of Nursing and Midwifery said: “This trial will focus on meeting the unmet needs of male cancer survivors and will aim to address cancer related symptoms within a holistic and person-centred approach.  Recruitment of participants will involve a gateway introduction which will allow the men to express any concerns or discuss areas where they require more support” 

College of Medicine and Health

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3rd Floor, Erinville Hospital, Western Road, University College Cork, T12 EKDO

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